I am writing this on X’Mas Eve. This is
possibly the first time in several years that my mood is hopelessly down… the
festive spirit has yet to touch me. I have gone through the motions, of course
– the tree in the living room is fussily decorated, the front door lit up. I
have the presents neatly gift wrapped and ready to distribute. Someone has sent
us X’Mas cake and pudding…. someone else, champagne. We have attended five
pre-X’Mas parties… there are two more to go. The weather in Mumbai is
unbelievably cool and the sunlight, a pale shade of gold. On the streets there
are countless Santas tapping car windows and peddling velvet reindeer horns.
Along the seafront, people are lighting ‘wish lanterns’ imported from Thailand.
What sort of a wish should we be making?

Ever since the Peshawar attacks on helpless
children that left 132 kids dead, I have been thinking of little else but the plight of grieving mothers mourning their murdered sons. Their lives will never
be the same again. And while the rest of the world readies itself for a brand
new year… new beginnings…. 2014 will be permanently marked as the year of grief
for these unfortunate women. There can be no grief as profound, as scarring, as
deep as the death of a child. Almost every other loss known to mankind is replaceable.
But nothing and no one can take the place of a child. I know couples who
lost children under tragic circumstances more than forty years ago. But even to
this day (while they themselves confront
age and death), the memory of that child remains vivid and omnipresent. Every
little reminder, brings tears to the eyes…every family occasion is tinged with
sorrow. The dead child’s absence is tangible – a powerful pull that touches the
living more acutely than the vibrant
presence of all the others
present.

Of course, the world has moved on and away
from the gruesome killings in Peshawar.
Closer to home, schools across India are tightening security and
conducting emergency drills, just in case there is a repeat of that horrific
terrorist attack on Indian soil. As the year draws to a close, it is time to
ask ourselves what we can possibly do to combat
threats of this magnitude, involving defenseless innocents. Children are
the world’s most precious resource. How can we protect them? Most mothers of
slain children end up blaming themselves .Some may be thinking ‘If only I had
been there, I could have saved my son and taken the bullets.” Or, “What if I had not sent him to school that day? Why
didn’t my sixth sense warn me something terrible was going to happen…” Hind
sight is an awful affliction, and mothers possess more of it than needed.
Unable to come to terms with the enormity of the tragedy, mothers obsessively
recreate the last few hours of the time
spent together and conclude they could have prevented the tragic turn of
events. A mother in grief ceases to be a rational person. It is useless trying
to talk her out of flagellating herself emotionally. Perhaps that is the only
healing she knows… and she should be granted the space and respect to deal with
the tragedy in whichever way she chooses.

Women and children – the world takes both
for granted. This is intrinsically wrong. Horribly wrong. 2015 is a good year
to begin a genuine transformation, that goes beyond lip service and weak
legislation. Our track record in India is abysmal on all counts. We treat women
and children atrociously. Always have. 2014 was no better. But why bleat and
plead and beat our breasts? Why not push for the overdue changes ourselves?
Let’s begin with basics – let’s prosecute those who exploit child labour and
treat the guilty like the hardened criminals they indeed are. Nobel Peace Prize
winner Kailash Satyarthi has shown us
the way forward. Let’s also focus on getting our girls into schools. Malala
Yousafzai… fittingly won her Nobel, for fighting this war . If 2015 is dedicated
to women and children by a united world, we would have taken the first major
step in the right direction. Can we afford to wait for even a day more? How
many women and children do we want to lose to violence before we wake up and do
something to save them…to save humanity at large?

The narrative for women and children must
start now. Let’s ring in the new year on this positive note.

Thank you for sharing 2014 with me, beloved
readers… I value you in my life. Here’s to a better 2015.

*************

NDTV BLOG 18 30th Dec 2014

Why Bollywood doesn’t stand by its own…

I was on a television panel discussion last
night. Yup. Same one on which the anchor provides all the answers to questions
asked by the nation. The topic was volatile (widespread vandalism of theatres
screening the Aamir Khan starrer, ‘PK’ in Ahemdabad, Bhopal and elsewhere) but the panelists were thanda. The panelists
who were supposed to condemn the violence, that is.While the three defending the
disgraceful shenanigans belonged to right wing
political/ religious outfits, the three of us representing the ‘voice of the people’ were disappointingly muted.
Well, I tried my best to be heard over the din of smug, self-appointed
custodians of Hindu sentiments, but it was a frustrating and pointless exercise.
I asked why the channel had not invited someone more ‘tagda’ to represent
Bollywood . The reply didn’t surprise me – nobody of any importance from the
movie industry wanted to speak up - for
the principle, not an individual. For the wrongness of what took place. Not for
Aamir Khan. Or Raju Hirani. Or even the contents of the controversial movie.
Speak up against these sort of intimidatory tactics. Speak up for our
threatened freedoms. Speak up for democracy. Speak up for peaceful protests. Speak
up for their own future, for heaven’s sake!

Why?

The answer is pretty obvious: Bollywood is
scared.

Bolllywood
has reasons to be scared. Very scared.

And this is the real story : Bollywood is
vulnerable. Perhaps, more vulnerable than any other sector in India. It has always been this way. In earlier times,
when Bolllywood itself was run in an erratic, unprofessional and disorganized fashion,
it was easier for anti-social elements to exercise control over the film
industry. These ‘elements’ were dangerous
and armed. They resorted to direct threat, blackmail and murder. The motive was
money. Bollywood was a soft target for extortionists looking to make a killing the
easy way. It was hard to stand up to these goons…and still stay alive. Some who
tried to take on the underworld, paid for it heavily… and got the message fast
enough. So did the others. Perhaps, this was when the term ‘setting’ was
coined. It was a polite way of admitting you had done a deal with the ‘Bhais’.
Yes, it was hard to handle outright threats back then. Maybe, it’s even harder
now.

Today, even though the Bhais are still
around, the Bollywood model of doing business has changed. Bollywood is corporatized
now and run more professionally by men and women wearing Armani, not sleazeballs
in polyester safari suits. But hello! the monies generated by superhits have
gone through the roof, too! ( ‘PK’ has
grossed Rs.233 crores already).The vultures are still circling the big studios.
But there are new players on the scene to contend with. These people exercise muscle power and clout as well… and as
effectively. Bollywood continues to run
scared. There is no place to hide.

I don’t blame big stars, producers,
directors for not jumping into the latest ‘PK’ imbroglio. They simply can’t afford
the risk! There is far too much at stake and nobody wants to commit
professional hara-kiri by challenging the might of shadowy outfits claiming to
represent the majority.

This is such a shame. If Bollywood had
indeed decided to take a joint stand and speak in one voice this time, perhaps
the film industry would have benefitted in the long run. After all, this sort
of wanton destruction serves no real purpose. It is not Aamir or Raju paying
the price for the ‘protests’ – it is theatre owners! The movie has been cleared
across the board. Leela Samson has issued a sane statement in the wake of the
debate. Justice Lodha’s directives are abundantly clear. The film has been
screened without any incident for 10 long days. All of a sudden there are
violent reactions? Come on.

And Bollywood has kept mum.

Is it cowardice or good sense that dictates
how Bollywood reacts to threats? I’d say it’s both. Silence has become the
standard. Which in a way, implies surrender. Most stars shy away from engaging
in larger issues that concern the film industry. They remain obstinately
non-committal. Or genuinely indifferent. This is just so short sighted and
selfish. If the big wigs in Bollywood get together and form a strong and
singular body to represent their interests across the board, such attacks can
be better addressed. It is not merely Aamir’s problem or Hirani’s problem. It
involves everybody! Bollywood tends to segregate and compartmentalize crises,
with zero show of unity when it is most required – like now.

Soon the ‘PK’ attacks will die down. But
there will be more. Of that, we can be sure. What then? Will Bolllywood
continue to play ostrich? Suffer amnesia and laryngitis? One hopes not…for its
own sake.

There’s nothing as sinister as the silence
of the lambs…

****************

Attn: Meenal,Sudipta Mumbai Mirror 26thDec 2014

Chick of the year : Malala
Yousefzai

Quite possibly, Malala Yousefzai is the
most famous 17- year- old on the planet right now. As she well deserves to be.
Her acceptance speech after winning the Nobel Prize for Peace 2014, is
remarkable on several levels. It sounded like it was written by her and not
drafted by a professional speech writer. It was the impassioned voice of a
young woman, aware of her extraordinary position in history, and yet girlish
enough to admit she still fights with her brother! Her message to the world was
profound and yet, couched in simple, straight forward language. When she talked
about leaders opting for tanks over text books , she received spontaneous applause from the well-heeled, hard- nosed
audience assembled inside the
magnificent palace in Stockholm. Watching her on countless television screens
across the world, were millions of awe struck admirers…plus, a few powerful
foes. Her voice remained as steady as her gaze.
It was hard to believe she was not yet eighteen!

What must it be like to be Malala – a teenager who achieved global
recognition the day she defied the Taliban and in return, got shot in the head
for daring to challenge a diktat that forbade girls from attending school.This
was in 2012 – the dramatic year that soon became a pivotal one not just for
Malala, but for all vulnerable students in Pakistan. The first miracle was that
she survived the gunshot. The second, was still more notable - she carried on with her education, and in the process became a hugely admired
global icon. Where did this young girl get the courage from? What made her take
on the Taliban… and emerge victorious as an international ambassador for
education? I’d say, look no further than her family. Malala has publicly acknowledged the role played by her
parents in her fight to speak up on behalf of
children who are denied a fundamental right – the right to study .
Ziauddin Yousefzai, her proud father, and Tor Pokai, her supportive mother, are
two people who deserve to share her Nobel honour equally. Had they compelled
her to rethink her decision and stay put at home after she survived the attack,
perhaps the history of education for girls in Pakistan would have been
different. Unfortunately, the significance of what Malala stood up to and would
continue to stand up for, was completely lost on her government. Yes, a $10
million Malala Educational Fund was announced amidst great fanfare. But the
tragic truth is that even after that, the number of girls who DON’T go to
school in Pakistan ,has gone up! Malala
herself pretty much lives the life of an exile, unable to return to the country
of her birth. The book ‘I am Malala’ has
become an international best seller, inspiring countless young people to derive
strength from Malala’s incredible life. But she herself, lives away from her
country, her people, in distant Birmingham

This year indubitably belongs to Malala –
she is the chick of chicks. At seventeen, she has seen more life than most
women at seventy. What happens to Malala next is crucial. Will she stay the
course? Will she remain unswayed by all the adulation and fame? How far will
her activism take her? Twenty years from now, she will be just 37- years- old – how
will she use these two decades? She talks of becoming the Prime Minister
of Pakistan someday. Inshallah, that
will happen. It’s hard to believe anyone could possess such a resolute vision
of life at the tender age of seventeen. But then again, Malala is not the
average teen. She possesses a maturity - a
sense of destiny - that is way beyond her years.

Pakistani watchers insist the massacre in Peshawar
occurred as a direct fallout of Malala’s
Nobel. It is said the Taliban wanted to send out a strong message to girls who
want to follow Malala’s example. Well, they now know they risk getting their
heads blown off if they persist. If so,
Malala faces an extra challenge. The safety and security of several thousand
girls has been unfairly thrust on her. Malala was fortunate – she survived the
gun shot. Others may not be as blessed. Malala’s crusade is pretty daunting.
She is a natural born leader…. politics is but a part of natural progression.
Reassuringly enough, tomorrow’s Prime Minister of Pakistan is still kiddish enough, candid enough, to
publicly confess she fights with her brother! Thank God, she does! Or else the
world would have wondered if Malala was for real.

For now, it’s enough that Ms. Yousefzai is
doing what millions of students her age
do – she’s studying hard, appearing for exams, and making sure the grades are
good. And yes, she continues to scrap with her brother!

Here’s to 2015, dear readers. And to more
Malalas across the world. Thank you for sharing this space!

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

What a fantastic launch! At 92, Ram Jethmalani remains one of the sharpest brains in India! Outspoken, witty and enormously charming, I really enjoyed moderating his session at the recently concluded TOI Lit Fest in Mumbai.
******

Sunday Times Politically Incorrect 5th Dec 2014

The ‘Illiteracy’ of
the ruling class…

This week was reserved for BJP Union
Minister ‘Sadhvi’ Niranjan Jyoti and her foul mouth. No amount of gargling with
boric acid will cleanse that. Or her mind. She may have apologized and taken
back her despicable words. But the fact that she uttered them in the first
place, is shocking enough.The even more shocking aspect of this incident is
this : are we really upset by what she said? As upset as we need to be under
the circumstances? Or will we take her gutter language in our stride and move
on? In another, equally distasteful context, will we also overlook Mamata
Banerjee’s crude ‘Bamboo’ remark and put it down to yet another ‘Didi
outburst’? Are we getting so accustomed
to vile language being spewed in public by prominent political players, that we
no longer react to these crude remarks
with the abhorrence they demand?

The worst aspect of the ‘Sadhvi’ speech was
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu’s weak attempt at justifying her
revolting words by explaining Niranjan Jyoti is ‘a woman from an economically
weaker background who has risen without all sorts of support.” So??? Was he implying we should employ a different
set of standards for individuals who rise ‘without all sorts of support’. What
sort of support did he mean? He added he had ‘counselled’ her and she had
‘realised her mistake’. He put a lid on the controversy by firmly declaring,
“There the matter ends’. Oh no, it doesn’t. If anything, there the matter
begins!

Mamata has never needed anybody to either
defend or counsel her – nobody would dare attempt it either. Nor would anything
work in her case. Unlike Union Minister Niranjan Jyoti ( can you believe this
47- year- old is Minister of State for Food Processing Industries?), the Chief
Minister of West Bengal lays claims to many impressive college degrees, and on
paper at least, she is a highly educated person! Which makes one wonder what we
mean by education these days! Is this the language used by ‘educated’ people?
Should one start divorcing education from culture, upbringing, sensitivity,
knowledge, civilized conduct?

Look at the Sadhvi’s track record - here’s a person who has made it to this
enviable position after winning from
Fatehpur, a constituency which the erudite
V.P.Singh had nurtured and won twice.
Jyoti belongs to a community of boatmen - seen as an important vote bank in
the state. She was the only woman to be sworn into the 21 member council of
ministers. It was believed she was being rewarded by the party for helping the
BJP crack the Dalit and backward classes in Uttar Pradesh. All that is fine.
It’s politics as usual. That her declared net worth hovers around 25 lakhs,
also says something. But is that ‘something’ enough? Can her modest beginnings
be exploited to condone her atrocious public abuse? Will anybody offer similar
concessions to someone who comes from a less deprived background? Are we
supposed to feel sorry for the abusive ‘Sadhvi’? Why?

This is yet another example of the politics
of convenience and opportunism. Sure, she is an elected representative of the
people and nobody can take that away from her. But did she have to be inducted
into the government and given a ministerial berth she is clearly not qualified
for? No, she didn’t! And if she has been placed there, either she should shape
up and fit the bill, or, if she crosses all limits of decency (as she did), she
must be sacked. Why should the offended people of India passively accept her
programmed, hollow apology and go along with the government when it declares it
a ‘closed chapter’. Who closed it? Not us!

Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti calls herself a
‘Katha Vachak’. She is someone who delivers religious sermons through story
telling. She also describes herself as a social worker. Most would agree her
latest speech disqualifies her on both counts -
if that was her idea of a good story, sorry, it sucked. And what sort of
‘social work’ does she do apart from inciting followers? It is disingenuous to
say that her speech was not made inside the Parliament, and therefore can’t be
held against her. Really? It is
precisely this kind of arrogant justification of blatant wrong doing that is
worrying voters. If the Sadhvi gets away with this and still hangs on to her
position, it will encourage others to follow suit, test the waters of tolerance
and see if they too are honourably exonerated by the powers that be.
Parliamentary conduct and language be damned, we have witnessed disgraceful
scenes of hoolganism indulged in by all the parties at some point of the other.
The disturbing trend has to stop and strong disciplinary action taken against
those who misbehave and break laws of civil conduct – within and outside the
Parliament.

The root cause of the Sadhvi’s deplorable utterances
is the lack of education – and by that I don’t mean getting a degree from a
reputed university. People like her, irrespective of which religious group they
represent, deserve to be ostracized and shunned. If she had been asked to step
down, it would have sent the right signal across party lines and perhaps,
deterred future hater mongers from making such inflammatory comments. But will
we ever show such sense and take necessary steps in advance? Unlikely. There is
too much at stake – all sorts of nasty
equations to safeguard, dubious factions to protect. That leaves the Bewildered
Indian who wonders what went wrong… when… why. We remained silent when we ought to have
spoken up. People like Niranjan Jyoti don’t suddenly pop out of nowhere. They wait… they know when to strike…
because they also know who’ll protect them when they do open their mouths. It’s
the Sadhvi today – who will it be tomorrow?

****************

Shobhaa’s Take 27thNov2014 Asian Age

Perhaps my strong emotional response to the
Ferguson case in distant St.Louis, Missouri, has a lot to do with the fact I
spent a fortnight in America recently and came back with thousands of images exploding out of my head. Most were
pleasant – very pleasant. Some, not so. I was back on the West Coast after a
fairly long break. The flight to Los Angeles seemed never ending – well, over
sixteen hours cooped up inside an airplane is almost as bad as being strapped
into an MRI machine for sixteen minutes - and equally claustrophobic. The LAX airport looked most third world ( to be
fair, massive construction is on to convert it into a swanky new terminal), and
I smirked superciliously, remembering Mumbai’s glittering T2 and several other
equally attractive, modern terminals across India. The entire experience on
arrival in the land of milk and honey, was disheartening and gloomy ( no
porters, no trolleys, poor signage, total chaos), and the long drive to the
hotel over shabby flyovers and dirty streets, didn’t help the mood.

Later, much later, walking around the
impossibly spread out city and talking to locals, it was pretty obvious that
the great ‘Melting Pot’ of the world was showing signs of strain and was in danger of boiling over. As
it happened when Michael Brown, an 18- year- old , unarmed African American teenager was shot dead by
Darren Wilson, a white cop, who was later exonerated by a grand jury. “I just
did my job. I did what I was paid to do,” Wilson blandly told his interviewer
on ABC News, further fuelling the wrath of protestors across the country. At
the time of writing, several cities across America are burning, in what
threatens to be a major polarizing moment in race relations – uneasy and
troubling at the best of times. Flashpoints like the Ferguson case take place
when society refuses to address ghastly truths about itself and pretends ‘all
is well’ when it damn well isn’t. We, in India, are in exactly the same
situation, and for the same reasons. We refuse to give our demon a name. In
place of race we have religion.

Most
Americans by and large remain indifferent to what’s going on in India. And I am
talking about desi Americans, too. Most are so frighteningly insular in their
outlook, one wonders whether they have any other real interests and objectives
beyond making money ( the primary reason most of them immigrated to America
more than thirty years ago). Yes, they are vaguely curious about Narendra Modi
and his government. But if you think the Madison Square Garden extravaganza
impressed these folks, forget it. They took pains to point out it was precision
staged by well-heeled BJP supporters in America, who efficiently managed the
gushy Indian media coverage of the hoopla . According to the people I met, the
average Joe didn’t know ( nor care) that a Very Important Man from India had
come to America and met President Obama. What was a momentous, historic event
for us back home, was apparently nothing more significant than a four
line reference in mainstream newspapers there. In fact, the ‘Indian’ person who is occupying the mind space of our
deshbhais and behens far more, is Republican Governor of Louisiana , Piyush Bobby Jindal (he also holds the post of
Vice Chairman of the Republican Governors’ Association), who is being described
as the ultimate ‘dark horse’ with a pretty good chance of clinching the Presidential nomination, beating Hillary
Clinton and the rest in the race to the White House. Eat that!

How does race touch ‘our’ people in
America? It is funny – they remain suspended somewhere in between – neither
‘idhar’ nor ‘udhar’. A little like the proverbial ‘dhobi ka kutta’. I didn’t
see any real intermingling - whether
with the Whites or African Americans. If anything, Indians stick to other
Indians, and largely mind their own business. Their prosperity is evident and
visible, more on the West Coast than elsewhere. These are the wealthy techies
who have done spectacularly well in Silicon Valley and beyond. They work hard ,
educate their kids at top schools, spend those green backs judiciously, invest in decent homes… travel… and stay out of trouble. Like the other Asians.
Perhaps, that’s the best way to survive and thrive. Their kids feel American,
eat American, live American, think American, dream American. Their idea of
India is nebulous at best. And the only connect is via grand- parents they may
meet once in two years. Are they friends
with White kids? Frankly, I can’t comment. I didn’t see much of it during my
short stay.

How
do the several Indian communities living in America respond to the Ferguson
saga? Do they experience the same level of outrage as African Americans
demonstrating on the streets? Clearly not. But try asking them where their
sympathies lie, and don’t be surprised if they defend the White cop, Darren
Wilson. The thing is, we are as racist ( if not more so) than anybody else.
Educated, successful, overseas’ Indians actually think they are White! Not
coloured – even though that is the category they technically fit into. And that
is how they are seen. Personally
speaking, going through the rather demeaning line of questioning by Immigration
officials, I wasn’t all that surprised to be asked a few really intrusive /
offensive questions , in tones that
dripped sarcasm. Nor was I shocked to be searched and checked for ‘gunpowder
and explosives’. This is how it goes. Michael Brown paid for it with his life.
Prejudice wears blinkers and sees what it wishes to.

Often,your only crime is the colour of your
skin. Whether in America or India.

*************

Mumbai Mirror 4th Dec 2014

Rohtak Sisters :
Drama Queens??

I
clearly recall collaring a brute who had deliberately brushed past me outside
Eros cinema, and clobbering him. Nobody had intervened or come to my defence. I
must have been seventeen years old at the time.Now comes the dramatic story of the Rohtak sisters. I confess I fell for the uncut version myself.
So impressed was I with the way Aarti(22) and Pooja (19) fixed their tormentors in a crowded bus, I
promptly hailed them as modern day Jhansi Ki Raanis in a tweet! By then, they were all over
the media, along with a beaming dad, and had also made it to CNN and the BBC
World. Their stand was being applauded by countless outraged women ( and a few
men) across platforms. Their quotes urging women to fight back and not take
such public harassment lying down etc. were being extensively quoted. Not
wishing to be left out of the narrative, the Haryana Government hastily
announced a cash award for bravery ( since withdrawn) to be given on Republic
Day! Soon, video number two surfaced
showing the girls taking on a man in a Mumbai park and thrashing him
energetically. So far, three chaps (Mohit, Kuldeep, Deepak) from the bus
incident have been booked. But the slightly dodgy part of the story still
remains: were the beatings staged? And if so, who shot both the videos? Is it
true one of the girls was overheard requesting a female co-passenger to shoot
the maar-peet before the actual beating took place? Was the belt she used to
flog the guy taken out of her bag or was she wearing it when the assault took place?
These are important details that establish the motivations of the girls. Aarti
has denied carrying the belt in her handbag , insisting it takes her 20 seconds
to whip it off. As for the rest, well,
we shall find out soon enough.

I recall innumerable similar situations
from my own life when I didn’t think twice before accosting men who had
deliberately brushed past me or passed rude/ lewd remarks. I have chased down a
few near Churchgate Station ( I grew up in the area) and let them have it –
verbally and physically ( what are large , heavy handbags for??). I am talking 40 years ago!
Later, I did repeat the same drill if anybody ‘accidentally’ touched my
daughters. Of course, such a public display of unbridled rage embarrassed the
girls no end and they urged me to ‘let it go’. Absolutely not! No woman should
‘let it go’. That’s how we breed monsters in our society - desperadoes who dare
to molest women in congested localities, because they believe they can get away
with it. They generally do. And so the cycle goes on… generation after
generation.

The ‘Rockstars of Rohtak’, as sections of
the media have dubbed them, live in different times. They are savvy about the
power of provocative videos going viral
and creating instant, overnight celebrities . It’s entirely possible both the
videos are indeed accurate recordings of
two separate incidents that took place, involving the same two girls. It
is also possible that both times there were obliging bystanders around who had
the presence of mind to start recording these nasty incidents and nail the
culprits. But – and it’s a vital ‘but’ –
what if the two girls had in fact planned the incidents to make a point? What
if it was their way of sending out a strong message to other women who have
suffered in silence – and ‘let it go’? The quotes one has read and heard, sound
incredibly well composed and admirably calm. The girls must indeed be very
mature and confident. Plus, they have the support of their father, whose quotes
are equally convincing. Provided both incidents took place as seen in the
videos, without any stage management, then, of course, my skepticism /cynicism
is misplaced.

This is where media responsibility kicks
in. In our impatience to flash a potentially ‘hot’ story, we rush in blindly,
without bothering to fact check . In the process, we get had. We get used. We
get exploited. Worse, we end up with egg all over our faces. Definitely not
nice!

While the basic message of these two videos
is laudatory (“women should fight back and not take any form of harassment
lying down”), we must stop to consider the possibility of a miscarriage of
justice as well. Public opinion is so ‘tagda’ ,
those boys could have been lynched had the co-passengers been aggressive
and involved. As of now, they stand accused and their future looks pretty bleak. The Rohtak sisters are heroes, basking in the
unconditional admiration they have received for standing up to bullies.

As someone who hasn’t taken anything in
life lying down (or standing up, or even sitting!) , I am all for the Rohtak
girls showing the way. Fingers crossed they haven’t ‘ullu bano-ed’ us for instant fame.

Sunday, November 30, 2014

At the packed to capacity meet for NULIFE in Pune, recently. I am happy to announce that NULIFE will be launching one-bedroom units for senior citizens soon. This was after extensive market research showed that senior citizens were looking for a space that would meet their needs for a secure, comfortable life , in a conducive environment. This has always been the objective of NULIFE and its promoters Disha Direct. For more information, check out their website.
************

Mumbai Mirror 28th Nov 2014

Jashodaben
– Superhero!!

Let’s hand it to her – it takes one hell of
a lot of guts for the abandoned spouse of the powerful Prime Minister of the country, to file an RTI application
demanding to know what sort of privileges she is entitled to as the legally
wedded wife of Narendra Modi! Most women in her unfortunate position would have
either kept mum or taken full advantage of the situation ( read : perks).
Clearly, Jashodaben is made of sterner stuff. How cool does that make her?

When she toodled off to submit the RTI
application to the Mehsana police earlier this week, she was riding pillion (
with helmet? Without?) on her younger brother Ashok Modi’s scooty (she has been living with him at his modest house
in Unjha after her husband picked politics over his bride whom he married in
1968). Left to pursue her unfinished studies, Jashodaben was living a life of
total obscurity, even during the time her husband was the high profile Chief
Minister of Gujarat. And there she would probably have stayed even after he
rose to lead his party to victory in the historic elections, had the Supreme
Court guidelines not forced her husband to declare his marital status. For years
and years, Modi had left his marital status blank while filing his nomination
papers. But the Lok Sabha election papers made it mandatory for him to ‘do the
needful’. Virtually overnight, Jashodaben’s existence became known to the
public. One assumes she was fine with that, considering she remained under wraps even after Modi assumed office. It was
only after armed guards started to ‘protect’ her 24x7, that the lady decided it
was time to ask a few relevant questions. Such as : On whose orders was she being provided these
guards? She went further, citing Indira Gandhi’s tragedy (Indira was
assassinated by her own guards), and expressing her own fears that the ‘ambiguity’
revolving around the identity of these guards (who refused to tell her on whose
orders they were tailing her!), made her believe there was a grave danger to
her life. What an extraordinary charge to make, given her unique position!

Today, the plucky lady is seeking answers to
basic questions and wants to know ‘all
the protocol and facilities, including security details’ she is entitled to as
the wife of the prime minister. She says her guards do not carry any official
orders with them. And what obviously
bugs her equally is that these men tail her in comfortable, air conditioned
cars while she uses public transport! Oh
yes – the guards also demand to be treated like her family’s ‘guests’ - which must mean they expect khaana –peena from
her kitchen1 Hello????

Her RTI application is bold, blunt and to
the point. It reads, “ I am the wife of the prime minister of India and have
been extended security as per protocol. Which other service can be extended to
me under the protocol? Give me a detailed description of the protocol.” Hurrah!Good
on you, gurrrlll! She also stated in an interview to a journalist that she is
willing to go and stay with the Prime Minister as his wife in Delhi. Jashodaben
wears a mangalsutra around her neck and sindhoor in the parting of her hair – easily recognizable symbols of being a married
woman.

Now
the ball is in her husband’s court.

Will
he reinstate a lady in his life who he has not been with for 46 years ( well,
technically, they shared space for the first 2 or 3 years of their married life…
if that counts). Will Jashodaben be formally ‘presented in court’ as it were,
any time soon? Will she be his official hostess at State banquets? Accompany
him on his official tours overseas’? Receive Barrack and Michelle Obama when
they arrive for the grand Republic Day Parade on 26th January, 2015?

Even
more importantly, will someone – anyone – explain to this bewildered lady who
exactly those heavies are and why they are tailing her? Is it really for her
protection? If ‘yes’ – reveal their identities, produce relevant orders and
that will be that.

Her fears are understandable and entirely
justified.

On the other hand - and let me play the Devil’s advocate here -
for a lady who has timidly accepted her status and fate in life for close to
half a century, isn’t it a bit, ummm, strange, that she has suddenly picked up
the courage to ask tough questions to one of the toughest men in contemporary
India, who just happens to be her husband? Who is backing Jashodaben?

Over
to you, Mrs. Modi. It’s your turn to
answer the questions now.

************

NDTV Blog 16

The Tyranny
of Notoriety…

Tarun Tejpal has always been something of a
rogue. There. I said it. So what? A rogue’s life is never easy… and eventually
things catch up. As they did in Tejpal’s case ( let me not bore everybody with
tedious details of ‘that’ dreadful
incident in Goa at Tehelka’s Think Fest / Bonk Fest last year). Tarun was
accused by a junior female colleague of indulging in some pretty loathsome
sexual misdemeanours – okay – rape. After which,all hell broke loose , with Tarun making it worse and worse for himself,
till finally the Goan authorities did what the law of the land dictates and the
swashbuckling Tejpal found himself in a grotty local lock up – disgraced and isolated for the most
part.

That’s the brief history.

I am not going into whether or not he ‘did
it’ (let the courts decide). Neither am I going to join the over- heated feminist
debate regarding the victim’s trauma. For me, this nasty scandal was less about
sex and more about abuse of power – an even worse offence. Let Tarun and his
lawyers figure out how to extricate him out of this monumental mess.

This piece is about a specific invitation
extended to Tarun by the organizers of the annual Times of India Literary
Carnival to be held in Mumbai from December 5th to 7th . The furor
that was generated by Tarun’s inclusion as a panelist in a topic aptly titled,
“The Tyranny of Power,” was such that
the invitation was promptly withdrawn, albeit with a jaunty if weak explanation
(“….the reaction to his inclusion suggests that our litfest was in danger of
being overwhelmed by an extraneous issue.”) Oh well… that’s elegant
understatement for you! ‘Extraneous issue’??? That’s a pretty cheeky euphemism
for a much discussed sexual assault case !

The man is not coming.

I wish he was.

Here’s the thing. It was an audacious move
on the part of co-organisers Bachi Karkaria and Namita Devidayal ( both veteran
journalists with the TOI) to have invited one of the most despised and
notorious men in India to the Lit Fest . It was even more audacious of Tarun to have accepted .This is the amazing
part. Did the organizers really believe Mumbai is ‘cool’ enough to handle his
presence without protest? Was that their only miscalculation? After all, it was
a perfect fit – the subject and the moderator ( Manu Joseph) would have ensured
a full house on 6th December. Controversy never killed a LiFest –
right? But the accusations both ladies faced on social media were different.
They were suspected of being part of a
complex ‘rehabilitation’ programme. This is rubbish! What would they gain by ‘rehabilitating’
Tarun??? Come on! Then there was the other thing about displaying insensitivity
towards the victim, when the case is sub-judice .What nonsense! I don’t think
there was ever a deep, dark, devilish plan to ‘exonerate’ Tejpal by giving him
some respectability at a Lit fest. I’d say all they were probably doing was
providing Tarun a platform. That’s what Lit fests are about it – or ought to
be. Is there an unwritten rule somewhere that says only pure, untarnished
saints can be invited to Lit fests?? How
dull and boring that would make these events! Is Tejpal the only person with a
dodgy reputation to be extended such an invitation? Hell, no! Half the people
who draw readers to Lit Fests are pretty colourful characters, some with
criminal records, others who have made being offensive in public their main
objective in life.

Tarun Tejpal would not have broken any law
by attending the TOI Literary Carnival. Neither would the organizers. And
that’s the whole point. People who have issues with Tejpal ( I certainly do)
were free to stay away, stage protests, boo. Ditto for writers taking the high
moral ground. By buckling to pressure, the organizers have surrendered a fundamental right, and given in
to shrill public opinion. I so wish Bachi and Namita had stuck to their guns
and boldly fought this round. Instead Bachi fell for the bait and responded to
media’s taunts by saying, “ We are not
film stars or a gossip magazine. The Litfest is serious business.” Oh dear. I wonder how invited film stars to
this LitFest are going to feel after
this?

Thursday, November 20, 2014

So looking forward to my friend and former colleague, Godfrey Joseph Pereira's debut novel, ''Bloodline Bandra''. As is the case in most first books, this one too, is drawn from the author's life as a Bandra Boy, born in Pali Village, speaking that particular East Indian lingo , and making the long journey to New York, after a very successful stint as a journalist in India. What he documents next, will shock you - the life of a 'legal slave'' working for an exploitative desi employer, before freeing himself from further tyranny. It launches across South East Asia on 25th November.

***********

A fortnight spent in Amrika, was an eye opener on many levels! It was a great trip and we narrowly missed getting snowed under. Thanks to my TiE Con friends Toni Das Gupta in LA and Nitin Rai in Portland, I got to meet some extraordinary people when I addressed members in both cities. I would love to post pictures of the trip on the blog.... but the images are on my phone and I don't know how to transfer them. Any solutions???

*************

This appeared in Sunday Times...

Modi has made chutney of the media….

Keep them hungry. Keep them guessing.
Starve the media. Throw them crumbs. Make them beg. Narendra Modi and his
strategists are on top of the game. And it is becoming a bit much! Not since
the infamous Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1977, has Indian media been
reduced to this pathetic level of redundancy, meekly reproducing press handouts
and forgetting all about critical analysis. Modi has established a new set of
ground rules for any sort of media engagement. And those are pretty simple –
it’s his way or the highway. So far, Modi is in the driver’s seat. And his team
is winning. When and how did this terrible fall take place? Was it cold
bloodedly planned? Or does desi media itself have a death wish? Lots has been made
of the Diwali Milan in Delhi during which several mighty journalists fell over
themselves to click Selfies with the Prime Minister. I won’t really read too
much into that – this is the age of the Selfie. Everybody but everybody wants
to click one – even President Obama. Hell, I tried it (unsuccessfully, I might
add) with Narendra Modi myself at Nita Ambani’s Mumbai event, where top
Bollywood stars were falling over backwards to do the same. Selfies are
addictive. Nobody lives the moment anymore -
people prefer to record it! It’s the irresistible childish thrill of
capturing an image of yourself with a famous/ notorious person … and sharing /
gloating later. Selfies, per se , are pretty harmless and don’t mean a thing. Not even those taken with the
P.M. The media surrender I am referring
to, is far more insidious and goes well beyond jostling for space next to one of
the most watched individuals on earth right now. Trust me, Selfies with celebs
would have happened decades ago, had
Selfies existed back then.

The real worry about media’s dramatic descent,
is the spectacular absence of any dissent…
any distance, from Modi and his team. Why are seasoned journalists suddenly
shying away from analyzing the political scenario, adopting the same stringent
critical standards they once adhered to? What is everybody afraid of all of a
sudden? Retribution? Of what kind? Could it also be true that the established media
class representing an earlier era ( which had benefitted so richly from
government largesse in the past ) has taken the softer option and decided to play ball with Modi?

Love fests between journos and politicians are doomed affairs, as so
many scribes discover to their chagrin once the cosy relationship curdles and
ends. So long as one feeds off the other, the equilibrium is maintained –
albeit uneasily.. The trouble starts when a new set of power brokers emerges
almost overnight and challenges the old status quo. That seems to be the case
with Modi and the press right now.

It’s
time for journalists themselves to do some serious ‘Mann Ki Baat’ with the
nation. Have we brought this on ourselves? Even if that is the case, why are we
putting up with ill treatment and open contempt? Which is the best way to
regain lost ground…. some self- respect, for Godssake ? It’s definitely not
through sucking up to Modi and his A-team. Chamchagiri has its pitfalls and
chamchas invariably come to grief in the long run. Every shrewd politician
knows that. The old practice of cultivating and ‘paalo-ing’ sympathetic /
friendly journalists is long over. We live in social media times, where it’s a
savage free for all. Nothing and no one is ‘untouchable’. There are no sacred
cows left. You give as good as you get…. and only the toughest survive.

Modi
prefers to control and calibrate media interactions – what is euphemistically called
‘managing the fourth estate’. For him it has always been a one way street. This
suits him just fine. It also establishes who is boss. Modi’s message to the media is direct and
simple : Get lost! He has proved he doesn’t need traditional media by going all
out to conquer new media. He was the first desi politician to understand the
awesome power of public opinion as expressed through user- friendly platforms
like Twitter, FB and more. He harnessed and exploited the incredible potential
of all available electronic media to kick
start his campaign, construct his global image and win that unbelievable
mandate during the last general elections. Having tasted victory, he is
convinced there is absolutely no need to woo the press. And he is absolutely
right!

But does that mean that the press also
stops doing its assigned job? Gets seamlessly co-opted? Kowtows to officialdom?
Pounces greedily on morsels of monitored information thrown its way? If we
carry on like Modi slaves much longer, the day won’t be far before we give up
all claims to credible, truthful, hard hitting journalism and turn ourselves
into performing monkeys, happy to dance to Modi’s ‘dumru’. What a sad day that
will be for India!

Narendra Modi has made chutney of the media in
India. Ramnath Goenka and others who stood up and walked tall while the rest
crawled inn 1977 - where are you when we
need you the most?

**************

NDTV Blog 14

India’s ‘Damaad’
flexes his muscles… and gets kayoed!

Are we nuts?

Are we idiots??????

Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law seems to think so!

The
most notorious muscleman ( all brawn, chhota bheja) in India, has
landed himself in a mess flexing those
pumped up biceps( the size of well- fed puppies) during an altercation with an
ANI reporter, who had the himmat to ask him a forbidden question, when he was
supposed to stick to the script and focus on body building. After all, theindividual
infamously referred to as a ‘thug’ and India’s ‘Al Capone’ by Dr. Subramaniam
Swamy, was doing the honours inaugurating a gym , and not addressing a
political rally. The ANI chap bravely tried to push his luck by doing what any hard- nosed journo would have done
face-to-face with a person who has a lot to answer for – Priyanka Gandhi’s buff
hubby, Robert Vadra - Delhi’s perennial
party boy and front row fixture at assorted fashion shows. Little did the
enterprising reporter know that a politely worded question about the Haryana
land deals scandal Vadra is embroiled in would lead to a national debate.Vadra
lost it! Questioned the man’s sanity,
called him an idiot , pushed aside the mike and camera, and left his heavies to
do the rest ( demand the offensive footage
get instantly deleted ). All hell broke loose after that…

Here
comes the far more interesting story. Once the clips went public, responses
were sought from Congresswallas. Diggy Raja dutifully trotted out the tired old, “ He’s a private citizen…” cliche,
and made it worse by projecting Vadra as a victim being ‘ hounded’ by the
media. Bechaara Bob! He must have felt so hurt, so hurt by that direct question,
that his mother-in-law had to rush to his side and console him for 45 long
minutes. Vadra, the private citizen, who has enjoyed the most incredible public
privileges in the country all these years, is a seriously pissed off man. As a very private citizen, who has never
held any public office (or any known office, for that matter!), Robert’s
supporters have every right to protest . After all, the poor guy just happens
to get treated like a VVIP – is that his
fault? Yes, he has body guards and commandos trailing him… so what? Who stops
other private citizens from hiring their own private armies, huh? And why
grudge the man a few, chhota mota perks like being exempt from frisking at
airports etc. These are small , petty matters in a democracy - let’s face it, some people are just more
equal, that’s all. Why are the BJP chaps making such a big deal out of this?
And imagine calling his behaviour ‘inappropriate’. What is inappropriate about
insulting a reporter doing his job? As if their party people have never
misbehaved with the media? Thank God for Sandeep Dixit, who showed some sense
by not endorsing this particular private citizen’s right to intimidate a tv
reporter. Unfortunately, Sandeep’s simple act has not gone unnoticed by those
out to prove their loyalty to Soniaji and her
‘Damaadji’. It is being whispered that first Sheilaji ( Sandeep’s
mother) praised Modiji ( sort of) and now the son has made conciliatory noises
when the First Family is being openly attacked. Definitely, something black in
the lentils …

The Broadcast Editors’ Association has
demanded an apology from First Citizen Vadra. Meanwhile, the public is being
given lessons on what the Constitution of India says about the right to
privacy, personal space and liberty by Congress spokesmen.

The question to ask is this : When on earth
will Robert Vadra be ready to answer the
questions being posed about the Haryana Land deals? Next week? Next month? Next
year? Between gym routines? Right after strenuous work outs? Outside his
favourite night club? Backstage during Fashion Week? He just has to say the
word, and the media will be there at a time and venue picked by him. But if he
really thinks the media is going to back off and let it go because of what
happened on Saturday, forget it, bro. No
matter how inappropriate and inconvenient it appears to you and your
ma-in-law’s acolytes, there is a job to
be done. If you have nothing to hide, and you are indeed innocent , prove it!
And face the consequences – like any other private citizen of India.

It’s true what you said about us – we are
nuts! We are idiots! Those questions should have been asked years ago. But this
time we are also serious – jawaab de do, beta. Till then, expect more
questions. Aapke intezar mein…

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Lovely Sunday! Launched my latest book - a collection of short stories - this afternoon, at the TataLive! Lit Fest in Mumbai. I was In Conversation with British Scholar Ted Hodgkinson, and it turned out to be one of the liveliest sessions I have participated in, at any Lit Fest!

**************

This appeared in Mumbai Mirror....

Amruta Ranade
Fadnavis: Meet the Missus

Forget Devendra. Hello! Amruta. And welcome
to Mumbai… ! You are going to fit right in, I can tell you. Your husband may be
the youngest Chief Minister of
Maharashtra. But you, my dear, are the star! It is you who interests the
city far more. Remember, you are now the official ‘vahini’ of the State.
Previous ‘vahinis’ have been convention bound and boring, choosing to stay out of the public eye, therby leaving
their high profile ‘yajmaans’ to hog the limelight. But those ‘vahinis’ were
not like you to start with. At 35, you are a proud, financially independent
working woman (Associate V.P. Axis Bank). Just like millions of fellow
Mumbaikars. We are exceedingly proud of our female work force – from the hard
working Kolis to corporate power ladies.
Our women form the strong spine that keeps Mumbai going on multiple levels.
Soon you will be one of us. According to published reports, you have asked for
a transfer to a branch in Mumbai, and I am guessing you will get it. But you
have also stated if that does not happen, you will continue working at the
premium branch in Nagpur. This is what any professional would do. Given your
upbringing ( both parents being doctors ), it explains your work ethic and
modern thinking. When you stated “ I want to grow intellectually,” to an
interviewer, it was clear you weren’t going to be the traditional , decorative
‘vahini’. What a relief!

Going by the fact you addressed over 100
meetings in Nagpur on behalf of your husband ( while he was busy hurtling
across the State on behalf of his party ), he owes you a big one. I mean, his
impressive win by a 59k lead has a lot to do with your focused campaigning with
the women of his constituency ( all the Mahila Mandals who backed him). You
urged the ladies to come out and vote for your man. And they did just that! You
also kept the daily 100- plus visitors to your home, well fed and looked after,
while making sure the hubby stayed away from oily food and mithais. It was the others who got to eat the laddoos – ha ha ha! Oh yes…. given the
high,sartorial standards set by the PM, you also took charge of your husband’s wardrobe! Wah! Kya baat hai!
Especially because your husband used to
be a model! Yes, Sir! His old bill
boards show him prancing and preening for a shirt brand…that’s pretty cool! I
don’t think Maharashtra has been lucky
enough to get a model-CM during its long
history. We’ve seen all kinds of blokes, peddling all kinds of stuff. But not
shirts. Well, some of them did specialize in shirts – they took them off our
backs. But this Devendra Dude is different. In more ways than one – he married
you!

We like the bike story a lot! Apparently,
you often coax hubby to take you for a ride. Errr… on his motorbike. That won’t
be possible in Mumbai, alas – not with
him as CM. Besides,you have noticed the
chaotic, traffic, right? Apparently, you also get him to join you during stage
performances and sing a duet or two. Again, now that he is the CM, poor guy
will be singing a different tune henceforth… possibly, in Gujarati. But so long
as both of you sing in sync, that’s what matters.

Your ‘ideal bahu’ story gets better and
better! You frequently give credit for your husband’s amazing success story to
Sarita, your feisty mother-in-law. Ekta Kapoor, please note! You may be 8 years
younger than your husband, but you sound incredibly mature in the way you
handle your many roles. As for your daughter Diviija, all of 5, hey – she’s
something else. A natural born politician. I heard the biggest kick she derives
is when she entertains an audience by repeating her dad’s political bhaashans.
Which 5-year-old does that? And she prefers to attend his rallies over playing
with other kids. I guess, she won’t opt
for banking as a career when she grows up…

This is going to be fun for all of us.
Please don’t change… or turn invisible once you taste the ‘CM-ki-Biwi’
life. Just be yourself. Hang with people
your age. Check out Mumbai’s night life.
Let your hair down. Meet people other than politicos. Mumbai has an
incredibly vibrant core which sensibly ignores officialdom and dull protocol.
If the CM can’t take you for bike rides, we’ll find you people who can! Make
the most of Mumbai, dearest Amruta. Trust me, your husband couldn’t have given
you a better gift than the chance to experience one of the greatest cities of
the world – aamchi Mumbai!

*************

This appeared in Mumbai Mirror...

Siraj-Sajida ki
love story…

Reeeellllllax, ladies. I am not going to diss your ‘Karwa Chauth’
rituals. To each, her own punishment! If
dressing up in bridal finery, applying mehendi and giggling with other
women while waiting for the moon
( and your men) to show up, does it for you… and your marriage, good
luck with the annual festival of Karwa
Chauth. . Meaningful to some. Absurd to
others. This year, I hear, several sensitive partners , same sex couples and
ex-lovers, are participating in the day long fast. Given the dismal weather
forecast, I only hope the errant ‘chand’ manages to peek through the clouds and
signal the start of hearty feasting
following the fasting.

But my mind is more on a unique love story
that is pretty fascinating. Sajida, the
young wife and mother of three kids, is married to Siraj, a Pakistani man who took a
wrong train in 1995 and accidentally strayed into ‘enemy’ country - India. He was 10 at the time and had run away
from home. Instead of boarding a train to Karachi, he got into one that brought
him to Amritsar. Well… here’s the irony : the only real home he has ever known,
is India. The only real family he has, is in India. Possibly, the only real love
he ever experienced happened in India. One
look at the photograph of Siraj with his wife and three kids ( a son and two
daughters ), and the absurdity of life (and
some complex laws that control destinies of people caught in the cross fire),
raises all sorts of troubling questions.
Since 1995, Siraj has lived with uncertainty
and fear. The man has not broken any laws during this period. He has merely
tried to get on with his life, like millions of others in this busy metropolis.
Late last year, Siraj Khan Pathan was convicted of entering India illegally in
1995! He finished serving his sentence on May 6th, but had been kept
under detention under Section11(2) of the Foreigners’ Act. A few days ago, he
was mysteriously released from the RAK Marg police station, but minus papers.
Is that his fault?

The cops want to make sure he doesn’t
abscond. Abscond… and go where?

The madness and tragedy of it all!

Siraj has been on the run since he was a kid.
Getting on a wrong train brought the little boy to Amritsar. It happens. His
life would never be the same again. Heaven knows what made the child run away
from home ? What traumas he may have suffered back then ? And he is still being
chased out? Surely, he has run out of stamina by now? Surely, he wants to lead
a ‘normal’ life with his small family? Perhaps, we shall never know the full
story. But that doesn’t matter. Even if half the story is accurate, it seems
cruel to treat any person like this.

I know, I know. It’s about timing. Siraj’s
crisis could not have taken place at a worse time. Too many, very disturbing ,
bloody and violent incidents have taken place on the Indo-Pak border, while
this little drama was unfolding in Mumbai. Such is human nature that there will
be any number of ‘patriotic’ Indians asking, “ Why should we be showing so much
consideration for one of THEM, when they are butchering OUR people?” For God’s sake - the two are not automatically
interlinked. Does any 10- year- old child know his/her nationality / identity
in a deeper sense? Must the accidental
place of birth colour the rest of life? Siraj has found refuge … love….
fulfillment here. This is all he has known as an adult. He is as much of a
stake holder in Mumbai, as the next Mumbaikar. Are we going to plant seeds of
hatred and poison in his head after
close to two decades of living in peace
in a country not his own? What about Sajida and the children? What crime have
they committed?

I am sure there are many more Sirajs on
both sides of the border. Several may be permanently doomed and locked up in nasty
prisons, with not a hope in hell of escape. Does that mean detaining Siraj is
somehow ‘justified’ ? A sensitive and fair handling of this tricky case can
send out a good signal, even to those who benefit by kindling the fires of
enmity and suspicion. The love story of Siraj and Sajida is what inspires me
today to think about the real significance of Karwa Chauth - well beyond the trappings and
commercialization of this simple act of faith, during which a wife demonstrates love, loyalty
and commitment to her husband, who reciprocates ( hopefully!) with equal
fervor.

Let’s hope there is a permanent and happy
ending to the Siraj-Sajida saga.

*****************

This appeared in The Week...

Egg-xactly why it
won’t work!

There were waves of revulsion sweeping over
my ‘rational’ self, when I first read about the latest attempt to appropriate a
woman’s womb via a procedure called ‘egg freezing’. Even the sound of it made
me recoil. Are we chickens in an industrial coop? How dare Facebook and Apple
hijack our ovaries in return for a few dollars more? Will manipulating nature
in such a blatant fashion provide any real answers? Help the cause? Will women
feel more secure in the work place, knowing their precious eggs ( surgically
extricated) are lying frozen in a safe place somewhere, to be thawed and
reinserted into their poor bodies at a convenient ( to the Company!) time and
place? This is worse than any sci-fi movie script! Not only is the latest
American corporate conspiracy insulting, it is intrusive, loathsome and
demeaning in the extreme. Jessica Bennett, writing in TIME magazine, mentioned
‘egg-freezing’ parties hosted by fertility clinics, where women can discuss
options over martinis! Really…. so this is the latest version of the old
Tupperware parties in America? How soon before the trend comes to our shores
and we have a brand new avatar of the Kitty Party, at which women talk about
their preferred egg bank and its whopping price tag, the way they do about their
latest Birkin or solitaire ?

I hope that never happens. Never ! Our
biological clocks are our own business. Corporates should leave our eggs alone.
Instead of luring bright, educated women to mess around with their bodies,
after offering all sorts of financial inducements ($20,000 is not an
insignificant amount), why don’t these companies lobby for real reforms that are more sensitive towards
women? As pointed out by Seema Mohapatra ( a healthcare law and bioethics expert at the Barry University
School of Law) in a recent interview, the
US is one of just 8 countries in the world that does not require paid maternity
leave. And look at the others on the
list -
countries like Liberia, Suriname and Papua New Guinea! Why not start
right there, and rectify the problem at its roots? Has Facebook conducted a
detailed research study on the efficacy of egg freezing? What about adverse
health effects? The risks involved? Is there a time frame for freezing, thawing
and re inserting these eggs? What would that be - 10
years? 20 years? What is the guarantee that the complex procedure will work? In
the meantime, countless young, female professionals have given up a few key,
personal options – perhaps forever.

Buying out a woman’s absolute right over her
womb, is anti-humanity. Some women may submit willingly due to financial
constraints. But that cannot be justified by any corporate, when the motives
are unambiguously selfish to start with. Not willing to support women by
providing crèches and day care centres at the work place, they are now trying
to lure them into experimenting with their own bodies…their lives. Why not
create offices that are pro-family in the true sense of the word? Yes, women in
the workforce are indispensable today. Respect that reality by changing the
work environment first. Do not violate a woman’s right to bear or not bear
children on her own terms. A woman’s fertility is sacred. Nobody should be
allowed to tamper with it.

Now what? While the debate rages on, an
Australian company is also offering payments to women for freezing eggs.There
is something almost sinister about this new development. Men remain fertile
forever ( almost!), so the onus of salvaging
future generations stays with women, who have biological clocks ticking
away from the time of their birth. Men and women in the workplace are competing
for the same jobs. Sooner or later men will start resenting these juicy
egg-freezing incentives given to their female colleagues. What then? No. This
is definitely not the way forward. Besides, it’s not even a fair option, since
nobody is giving an extra dime to women who represent lower income groups.

In
all fairness, it needs to be pointed out that Apple and Facebook do offer
other, attractive family benefits ( subsidized day care, paid paternity leave
etc), but that still leaves a huge moral issue when it comes to egg freezing.
As feminists are asking, does this initiative discriminate against women who
opt to have babies as and when they choose to? Will this force women to
reconsider choices? Postpone motherhood? These are all new and scary scenarios
that will take a while to establish their legitimacy. The complex issues thrown
up by the egg-freezing debate have several implications and ramifications –
religious , emotional, physical, cerebral. Instead of taking away a woman’s
autonomy over her eggs, and pressurizing her to take decisions that come with health
risks, let’s demand more sensitivity, combined with responsibility. The time
has come to enhance the lives of women in meaningful and significant ways. This
is precisely why women across the world should unite and send out a strong
message to global corporate houses pushing
them into parting with their most valuable asset. It’s time to say: My eggs are
not for sale!

***********

This appeared in Asian Age/ Deccan Chronicle

‘Model’ CM: Fadnavis
– when life imitates theatre

The first time I watched a performance of
the shocking, path breaking Jabbar Patel
production of Vijay Tendulkar’s scorcher of a play ,‘Ghashiram Kotwal’ (1978 or thereabouts),
I was completely blown away. I watched
it again… and again. But that was a
long, long time ago. I wish I could watch it once more, for it continues to remain
as potent, as relevant, as subversive
today, as it was 36 years ago. Tendulkar first wrote it in 1972 in response to
the rise of the Shiv Sena. So strong was its impact, it faced a ban and
generated enough controversy to fuel vociferous protests each time it was staged.
It is a pity contemporary theatre lovers are denied the opportunity to share
this extraordinary experience. Whenever
I run into Dr. Mohan Agashe these days, I can only see Nana Phadnavis – the
despicable, wily character he immortalized in the play . I asked Mohan why ‘Ghashiram….’
has not been revived. The collective genius of so many highly gifted
collaborators could easily attract corporate sponsors. But that hasn’t happened…
for obvious reasons. There can be no other Nana Phadnavis, of course, and as
Mohan pointed out wryly, the timing for a revival is also perfect . Mohan brought spine tingling
ferocity and a sinister edge to his performance as the shrewd, sadistic, amoral
Minister in the court of the Peshwas, who stops at nothing to grab and wield
absolute power in a weakened, hopelessly decadent state, dominated by rulers
drunk on their ownunchecked position of
privilege. As the play progresses , Phadnavis reduces the Peshwas to
poor jokes of their earlier avatars. Agashe , making the most effective use of
his thin, nasal voice and adopting a particular gait ,conveyed just one thing - unbridled tyranny. Mohan was evil personified, his every
entry marked by rhythmic music that prepared the audience for
the vileness to follow. Patel brilliantly exploited the folk theatre tradition
of ‘Tamasha’ in this riveting portrait of corrosive totalitarianism.

Abuse of power lends itself to artistic
interpretations like few other subjects. Today, Maharashtra has demonstrated
unambiguously that its people have risen against oppression and arrogance .Today’s
Maharashtrian doesn’t really give a damn about traditional obsessions – ask the
young voter in this election whether it matters a jot to him that the new CM of
the State is a Brahmin and not a Maratha, and chances are,
you’ll get a bewildered look or a withering, scornful stare in return. Pegging political
identity to the old ‘Marathi Manoos’ script is old hat, irrelevant and annoying
. The new Maharashtrian is an aggressive,
ambitious, results-driven voter. If anything, the old bogey of
‘outsider/insider’ has been pushed aside in one sweep – and may it remain in
the dustbin forever. Since nothing is quite as effective in today’s social
media driven times, as piquant, pointed satire, I watched a ‘Being Indian’
video on Youtube which featured two ‘typical’ Maharashtrian boys indulging in
hilarious banter. Interestingly enough, they were merrily poking fun at familiar
sacred cows. The sarcastic script took everyone and everything apart, including
that phoney ‘North Indians’ paranoia mischievously unleashed on the city by
political hoodlums. Which is why, it is vital for the newly minted CM to grab
this God -given opportunity and undo the
monumental mess in Maharashtra. Devendra Fadnavis has a tough job ahead of him.
He isn’t exactly 100% kosher himself (there are a hefty 22 criminal cases
against him, which include charges of assault, rioting and unlawful entry). He
is an unknown entity in Mumbai, and is seen more as a Nagpur man. Narendra Modi
called him “ Nagpur’s gift to the country’. Earlier , that ‘gift’ was
identified with Nagpur oranges.

Once
the Chariots of Fire roll out of the
Wankhede Stadium and the maha drama of the ridiculously extravagant swearing-in
ceremony ( complete with Bollywood-style sets) is behind us, we will watch
Fadnavis closely. Of course, everybody knows the man has an omnipotent remote
control ( Amit Shah) monitoring his every move. Which may not be such a
terrible thing, given the tattered condition of
Maharashtra’s economy right now ( at last count, the State was dealing
with a debt of 13 lakh crores). Fadnavis comes with respectable educational
credentials ( a law degree, plus a post-graduate degree in Business
Management). We know he is married to a working professional (banker) and is
the father of a precocious 5 - year- old daughter, rumoured to entertain guests
with a faithful rendition of her father’s fiery political speeches! Cleaning up
the BMC should be on top of the new CM’s priorities, for unless we get rid of
the rot that has seen Mumbai’s descent into a putrid hell hole, nothing else is
likely to change. How he tackles the nexus between his political rivals and the
builders’ lobby (together they have looted and stripped not just Mumbai, but
gigantic swathes of prime real estate across Maharashtra ) , will also define
his relationship with a demoralized police force. As for corporate India, well… it doesn’t take
time for our accommodating Captains of Industry to realign themselves to a new
order. So long as Fadnavis demonstrates a strong will to clean up the massive devastation
he has inherited, and does so transparently, the people of Maharashtra will
whole heartedly support his initiatives. If Fadnavis is as clever as Modi thinks he is, he
will leave the contentious Vidharba issue alone for now.

This may be the turning point in Maharashtra’s
fortunes. Expectations are running high. Fadnavis is young (44), which is a big
plus. He appears gregarious and outgoing. Will he be able to manage the various
warring factions angling for key portfolios and positions? For that, the ‘go to’
man ain’t our Devendra Fadnavis. It is the portly Amit Shah – rightly being
described as the de facto CM of Maharashtra.

Monday, October 6, 2014

At the Pujo Baadi on Ashtami day...
Now getting set for Diwali....
************
To see or not to see.... that's the question. I saw!!!

Haider : Boycott bigotry…
not movie….

The tragic hero of the desi Hamlet is
Kashmir, not Shahid Kapoor.

Admission : I did not love the movie
(Bhardwaj’s weakest in the trilogy). But
I still will not advocate a boycott of the film. Nor subscribe to the vicious
hate campaign let loose on the actors over assorted social media platforms.
“Hum hai, ki hum nahin?” sounded a bit too twee… even arrogant, as a take- off on the immortal ‘To be or not
to be…” line. And that did it for me! Mind
you, this wasn’t even the worst line in
the most talked about film of the year. But that’s not what the protests are
about. Those who are urging audiences to stay away, have made their point.
Their point is this : Bhardwaj has made
a lop-sided film that projects the Indian Army in the worst possible light,
seems sympathetic towards militants, glorifies terrorists, and ignores the
‘other’ picture ( the pathetic plight and flight of Kashmiri pundits). Their
strident views have found several takers who believe Bhardwaj pushed his luck
by projecting the Indian Army in such a sadistic light. He has. There, I said it. That’s his prerogative
as a film maker - it is his perspective.
His decision. Hamlet / Haider does not
matter. Kashmir does. It is an unambiguously political film. A position has
been taken. Political cinema has never been known for its ‘neutrality’ ( that
defeats the purpose of making a political film) Perhaps, it is time for us to
grow up and take it on the chin – however uncomfortable that makes us.

Crtics have raved about the visual poetry
of the movie. But at the end of the film, it is the prose that stays. Tabu,
playing the wily Ghazala ( oooof!
Imagine denying the audience the chance to dive into her dark ,
expressive eyes by getting her to wear hideous, tiger brown coloured lenses –
Bhardwaj’s biggest sin), asks her noble surgeon husband, “ Kis taraf hai aap?”
when he decides to operate on a militant. Dr.Hilal Meer ( soberly played by
Narendra Jha – but I wish Bhardwaj had not blow dried his hair as fussily)
relies steadily, “ Zindagi ke…” In a way, that single exchange sums up the
movie and its message… and redeems the film from being what its accusers are calling
it – propagandist and anti-India. Though, I have to say, it’s hard to overlook
the obvious bias that drives the rest of the narrative.

In a bid to soften the bludgeoning of the
Indian Army ( for some reason, most of the tough talking officers are South
Indians – Ramamurthy being the harshest),
Bhardwaj has added a line or two after the film ends, about the great,
humanitarian service performed by the Indian Armed Forces during the recent
devastating floods in J and K. Disingenuous… an after thought ? By then
audiences have pretty much made up their minds and come to a few nasty
conclusions. So what? We can handle nasty! We can, right?

Yes, the film has polarized viewers,
generated controversy, and is likely to be banned in Pakistan. It’s fine. Powerful
cinema does that to people. Unless , of course, you believe in going to the
movies in order to numb your senses. If that is so, forget ‘Haider’. It isn’t for the weak hearted. As narratives
go, it is flawed and self -indulgent to an annoying degree . While Shahid
Kapoor gives it his best shot ( too much hair spray ruined it for me) , more
seasoned actors like Kay Kay Menon ( superlative ), and Irrfan Khan (
effortlessly menacing), steal the show. Watch it, if only to learn a favourite
Hebrew word I use a lot and love–
Chutzpah. Roughly translated, it means a certain audacity to get away with
outrageous conduct. If only Bhardwaj and Co. had taken the trouble to find out
how it is pronounced (‘ Hoots-pah’ – NOT
‘ Choots-pa’ as Haider keeps repeating ), perhaps the movie itself would
have felt more authentic.

Next time, guys – get the details right!
And that extends to more than just the correct way to say and demonstrate asli
‘Chutzpah’.

**************

Asian Age....

Bharatwaasis – Pick up that broom and start sweeping!

Trust me, I am feeling really guilty, sheepish
vaghera today. I haven’t picked up a jhadoo this morning, and got to work. Not
even in my own home, forget the filthy streets of Mumbai. No wonder, I didn’t
make it to Narendra Modi’s elite Dirt Squad of eminent citizens who have taken
the Jhadoo Pledge. To be fair, I didn’t participate in that other nonsensical
pledge either ( Ice Bucket ), so I am feeling a little better. Nine seems to be
the magic number these days. The nation
is going to be galvanized by nine inspiring citizens (who just happen to be be
popular movie stars, industrialists and sports people). The 9x9 story of
Swachch Bharat reminds me of those wretched chain letters we used to get in the
mail (when mail existed). Each time I received one, I would bin it, and hold my
breath for the next 12 hours. All of them came with dire warnings. If someone
was reckless enough to break that chain, awful things were in store for the
irresponsible person. But - aha – if you
kept the chain going, you would receive a gift within three days. My friends
hated me for breaking the chain and depriving them of the promised gifts. Soon,
I was taken off all lists. I have to confess I felt a little left out. This was
a form of social exclusion, that made me feel unworthy. Well, that’s how I am
feeling right now. The thing is, my low
self worth is still not pushing me into picking up that broom and
hitting the roads. I think I need therapy. Not just for the broom lapse,
though. I need therapy because I seem to be in a tiny majority that is not
quite getting it , nor going gaga over the initiative! But why? The message is strong and
unambiguous. What is there not to get, you ask? Ummm. A lot.

Driving down the hazardous slopes of
Mussoorie on Gandhi Jayanti, hurtling towards Dehra Dun to catch my flight home,
the car I was in, was halted by a long procession clogging a narrow street. I
thought it was Mussoorie’s version of
Hong Kong’s Umbrella Protests. There was a slight drizzle, and the
slogan raising jhuloos wallas, were sauntering along at a leisurely pace,
protected by umbrellas. I rolled down the window and asked what was going on.
The person replied brightly that they were all on a massive clean up
drive. The irony of it all, was that
this exchange took place right in front of a gigantic garbage dump overflowing
with mounds of rotting garbage. I suggested mildly that they should start right
there, with the dump, instead of raising slogans and blocking traffic. I
noticed nobody was carrying a jhadoo. But everybody was quoting the Prime
Minister. I pleaded with the placard
bearing marchers to let the car pass. When I looked back, one of the protestors
had just thrown a paan masala sachet on the road.

Swachch Bharat is a loaded term. We need to
be ‘swachch’ on several fronts. Cleaning up our neighbourhoods is a great start…
but hello! why should we be doing the municipality’s work ? We pay taxes to
keep our cities garbage free. Happy to help and all that, but is this really
the job of citizens? Mumbai is one gigantic garbage dump. Visitors to Mumbai
recognize the metropolis from its unmistakable stench – a combination of rotting fish and the usual muck that
accumulates when waste management is a low priority. Those of us who live in
this kachra, have forced ourselves to ignore it. Or, we tackle the problem by
paying private garbage collectors to do what the local government is obliged to
do – take care of the city’s sanitation -
but doesn’t. It is a bit unfair
to send India on a guilt trip and keep invoking the name of Mahatma
Gandhi. Unless we implement stricter
laws for and impose fines ( like it happens in the rest of the world) on those
who blatantly ignore civic responsibilities. The Prime Minister may be shown sweeping India
Gate and other places, on a daily basis, but we will not take the hint and
follow his example. You know why? The change he seeks and the awareness he
hopes to generate ( both, very positive programmes, I hasten to add), may not
progress beyond tokenism. It may turn
out to be yet another , short lived ‘movement’, no deeper than the Ice Bucket
trend, which died a swift death once the craze was over. Even so, let’s face
it, in terms of powerful symbolism, it has worked brilliantly.

Agreed, India needs to be toilet trained.
We can’t go on soiling our nappies forever.
A smallish start has been made .
Abhi nahi, toh kabhi nahi! For decades we have merrily ignored that
catchy slogan, “ Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” Most of our temple
courtyards remain revoltingly filthy. If
we cannot keep places of worship clean, how can we possibly transform neighbourhoods?

Poor Arvind Kejriwal must be feeling really
short changed right now. He no longer has the monopoly over the jhadoo - the
one thing he was clinging on to, when all else had been snatched away. This is
India’s Sauchalaya Moment. In more ways than one. If we get this one thing
right, the rest of the crap we are dealing with, will also follow. Keep the
faith, Bharatwaasis. A solemn promise to
clean the country has been made by the Prime Minister. We will hold him to it. As
for me, I will take my time to give a ‘Jhadoo ki Jhappi’ to the municipal janitor. That is, if the
person shows up at all!!

Just checking - Is it true there are plans to rename All
India Radio to All India Modi?

*************

Mumbai Mirror...

Mimlu Sen : “ Born to be
wild…”

The annual Lit Fest madness is upon us! Not
that I am complaining. But the recently concluded Apeejay Fest in Mussoorie stands out for more than one
reason. For one, it is intended for a specific audience – strictly no
outsiders, no press. And what an audience! Hosted by India’s premier training
ground for all those scarily brilliant men and women who keep the wheels of bureaucracy
moving ( or not!) across the country, the LBSNAA (Lal Bahadur Shastri National
Academy of Administration) saw a terrific mix of writers, thinkers in dynamic
sessions with young India’s best and brightest brains – the Probationers! Three
intense days packed with interactive seminars, interspersed with chai /coffee
breaks, and ahem… disco/ dandiya raas evenings, made it a memorable experience
all the way. But for me, the most fascinating participant by far was Mimlu Sen
– musician-author and life partner of legendary Baul performer Paban Das Baul.
Mimlu’s life is worthy of a bio pic ! Yes, it’s that riveting. Take a look :
Born into a very ‘bhadralok’ ( educated, sophisticated, ‘respectable’) family
in Shillong, Mimlu, who said she was ‘born a wild child’, ran away from home at
age 11. Okay, she didn’t get too far and was dragged back by concerned
neighbours. Not that it stopped Mimlu from exploring her wild side at a later
date. Product of the mad and wonderful 60s and 70s, studying in Kolkata and participating in
street protests demanding an end to a distant war in Viet Nam, Mimlu got drawn
into radical politics and revolutionary movements that led to her being jailed
for what were described as Naxalite activities ( she has written a book, aptly
titled ‘Black Maria’ about that period ). Sick and tired of a bourgeois
existence, she fled to Paris (where else?) where she was living happily in a
ménage a trios, with two children - Duniya and Krishna – when a powerful voice
altered the course of her life forever. By chance, she happened to hear someone
singing songs like no other… drawn to the music, she met nomadic Baul singer
Paban… and instinctively decided to become his life partner. Today, so many
years later, they are very much together, though she hastily clarifies, “ He
belongs to everybody, not just to me.”

In
Mussoorie, I got the chance to meet Paban and hear him sing. I recalled
listening to him more than a decade ago. He was a different Baul then. I guess,
living in Paris and doing gigs across the world, from Mexico to Africa, has
changed the nomad. He still prefers to speak exclusively in Bengali, his Hindi
is charmingly kuchcha, and he leaves English to Mimlu, who plays the cymbals
and translates his songs for international audiences. It is quite a story. Apart
from being a most remarkable partnership.

I
read an earlier interview of Mimlu, where she said she was attracted to Paban,
because he (like all the Bauls ) practiced Prem Sadhna ( Tantric love ). It is
a profound , philosophical way of life that is deeply rooted in being in sync
with the elements.Watching both of them together, was an education. Mimlu’s
husky accent goes from French to Bengali, as she fluidly interprets Paban’s
passionate lyrics. Along with her key role in Paban’s performances, Mimlu
remains deeply political (she participated in a volatile debate “Naxalism, Then
and Now - A Continuum?’ With the likes
of Sumanta Banerjee and Gautam Navlakha). But, over and above any of this, her
involvement and concern remain focused on Paban – making sure he gets his
sleep, eats on time and has the necessary back up on stage. Someone asked her
about Paban’s habit of chewing tobacco, and she answered naturally and lightly, “ You have to understand, Paban is a
villager – he cannot do without chewing tobacco.”

The original wild child is now a subdued ,
wise middle aged woman. It made me think of how loosely and foolishly we throw
that term ( wild child ) around to describe starlets, rock stars, painters
who take
slightly unconventional paths – perhaps colour their hair purple or
shave their heads. But here’s Mimlu – a woman who had the guts to follow her
own path… to listen to her heart…. to pay the price… and never look back. Mimlu
can well afford to say about Paban, her frail, wooly haired ‘Boshtomi’ ( life
partner), who sings about life as only a Baul can , “ Paban lives on a Planet
called Mimlu.”